Do You Think The 55-mph Speed Limit Should Be Maintained?

July 13, 1986

Nevada gave it a 30-second try and then backed down, but the state's brief attempt this month to raise the speed limit on one of its highways from 55 to 70 miles per hour attracted nationwide attention. Nevada is just one of a growing number of states angry about the federally imposed speed limit.

One federal study found that the 55-mph speed limit has reduced fuel consumption and has saved as many as 4,000 lives a year. But it also found that drivers spend an average of seven extra hours on the road per year because of the lower speed limit.

Those who favor lifting the 55-mph ceiling say that is too slow for modern, divided highways and that few people pay attention to it anyway. But defenders say raising it will cost lives.

What do you think? Should the 55-mph speed limit be maintained? You have until noon Monday to call.

(Last week Sound Off asked if TV violence was so harmful that the government should intervene. Of 1,426 calls, 764 -- 54 percent -- said no, and 662 said yes.)